I'm sorry OP. that's a seriously depressing way to start out. But after all your studying you knew you'd have to come to this.... You just weren't expecting that many. I'm sorry. Im sure you'll make lots of fuzzy friends! (that live...)

Sorry to hear that op. I couldn't do your job.

You're on a row! Death row that is.

Sorry man, but the rough waters come with the terrian, fell for u man

Yah, I once thought I wanted to be a vet as I love animals-- but I couldn't handle that reality of the job. :( I would feel so horrible, I'm so sorry, OP.

You are helping animals in pain- I am a nurse and deaths suck- but they do get comfort knowing their animals are not in any more pain

I hope you get a chance to read this. I have a dog who is currently 13 years old. For the last year or two, she has had trouble walking, and when we took her to the vet, we were told it was hip displasia, and a progressive loss of nerve function. Fairly rare in a dog this young, but not totally uncommon. We were told it was going to get worse, until she could no longer walk at all, and then, be unable to control bowels and bladder. But she is not in any pain. About two weeks ago, she started having so many problems walking, that we now have to carry her from place to place. She gets frustrated when she cant follow us to another room, and be with us. Yesterday, she crapped herself. We've been trying to spend more time with her, and feed her "the good dogfood", (etc.) - but tomorrow we will take her in, and "set her free". Like I said, she's not in any pain, but she is so crippled now, she seems very depressed. She can't run and play, or follow us around, or the cats, or our other dog. When we take her in, we're paying a professional to do a special task. It is not an easy task. Nor is it easy for us. But after she's gone, we'll miss her, but it won't be the vet's fault. It will be time, and fate's fault. All we will have is memories, and gratitude for the professional who helped her to be free of her suffering in a gentle and peaceful manner. I hope that helps.

I applaud you for working at what must be a shelter, but it's an environment filled with tragedy. perhaps you can make nice with rescue organizations to help pull urgent animals... do some good in a bleak place. I'm glad to have adopted my animals to save them from what might have been at a shelter.

So sad:( I give you props being able to do it. At least their not in pain anymore so you did help them

Good post, #98. OP, as much as it sucks for you to have to put these poor animals down, I feel that your boss/surgery/whatever is probably "testing your mettle" early to 'weed out' the people that cannot take having to do that, so they can waste less of your and their time. Hang in there, unfortunately it is part of the profession. I would venture a guess that there are more good than bad sides to the job, and as #98 said, you would more often than not be doing a good thing by euthanising them. :)